JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia – Franck Kessie's brace propelled Al-Ahli to a dominant 4-0 victory over Qatar's Al-Gharafa in the Asian Champions League Elite, solidifying their position at the top of the standings. The match, held at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium on Monday, saw Al-Ahli showcase their attacking prowess, with Enzo Millot and Saleh Abu Al-Shamat also finding the net.

Al-Ahli's commanding performance underscores their ambition to advance deep into the competition's knockout stages. The win sees them level on points with UAE's Al-Wahda in the western league phase, both with seven points.

Millot opened the scoring in the 32nd minute with a volley that hit the underside of the crossbar. Kessie doubled the lead just six minutes later with a towering header, capitalizing on a precise cross. The Ivorian midfielder further extended Al-Ahli's advantage before halftime, charging through the defense and slotting home a return pass from Riyad Mahrez. Saleh Abu Al-Shamat completed the rout with a fourth goal in the second half.

Kessie's performance continues to solidify his importance to the Al-Ahli squad. His ability to find the net, combined with his strong presence in midfield, makes him a key asset for the Saudi Arabian side.

Al-Ahli's victory follows their 2-0 win against Japan's Kawasaki Frontale to win the Asian Champions League Elite title for the first time. In that match, Galeno opened the scoring with a strike into the top corner, with Kessie adding the second with a header. Al-Ahli were heavy favorites with a lineup featuring an expensively acquired array of foreign talent that includes UEFA Champions League winners Riyad Mahrez and Roberto Firmino.

Al-Ittihad also secured their first win of the campaign, overcoming Al-Shorta 4-1 despite conceding an early goal. Aouar scored twice in that match. This crucial win puts Al-Ittihad back in contention to progress further in the tournament.